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Ross Cameron Hart
Hart & Hart Attorneys LtdBadges
Claimed Lawyer ProfileQ&A
Summary
I was born and grew up in the area - my family has served the legal needs of the area since 1892, over 120 years. My goal is to explain the legal process in plain English and to avoid the 'technical lawyer words' which only confuse many people. The primary focus of my firm is now "Elder Law" which broadly includes estate planning, Nursing Home admissions and Medicaid applications and adult guardianship. After a family member dies, we advise and assist in the estate administration process. In short, we help families plan and deal with aging and death and navigating the legal system.
Practice Areas
- Elder Law
- Probate
- Probate Administration, Probate Litigation, Will Contests
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
- Virginia
- 4th Circuit
Languages
- English: Spoken, Written
Professional Experience
- Owner/President
- Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd
- - Current
- Family firm begun by my grandfather and his brother (Hon. John L. Hart) in 1892
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law
- J.D. (1976)
- -
- Monmouth College
- B.A. (1973) | Business Adm
- -
Awards
- SuperLawyer
- SuperLawyers
- Recognition of top 5% of lawyers in field of law
- Chapter Member of Year
- Virginia Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (VAELA)
- VAELA is a group of around 200 lawyers focusing on Elder Law; award recognizes member of chapter who contributes time, expertise, etc. for the chapter and other members.
- Pro-bono Award, 2008 (23rd Circuit)
- Virginia State Bar
- Award for pro-bono (low income clients)
Professional Associations
- NAELA
- MEMBER
- - Current
-
- Virginia Academy Elder Law Attorneys
- Director
- - Current
-
- Salem/Roanoke County Bar Ass'n
- Member
- - Current
-
- Virginia State Bar
- Member
- - Current
-
Websites & Blogs
- Website
- Hart & Hart Attorneys Ltd.
Legal Answers
121 Questions Answered
- Q. I gave 45 days notice to terminate a month to month lease so I can move back in. Is tenant protected under moratorium?
- A: My understanding is that the moratorium is only for non-payment of rent. Any other reason (not money) for termination of a lease is still valid. I suggest you contact an experienced landlord tenant lawyer in that area for advice.
- Q. If I need to move back into a property I just rented. Been 6 months, lease is for 12. Can I give a 60 day notice?
- A: Probably not. You agreed to a year and the tenant relied on that. Turning it around, would you let the tenant break the lease if they wanted/needed to move?
- Q. Can a non executor close the bank account of someone who is deceased?
- A: Mr. Sternberg is correct - if the account had joint ownership or survivorship then the individual named - even if also the executor - could close it. Also, if the estate was below $50,000 it falls under the 'small estate act' provisions of Virginia law and no formal administration (court papers) are needed. There is a provision that money in a joint account can be reclaimed by an executor if certain conditions are present (typically more debts than other assets being available to cover them). That provision is very technical and a lawyer should assist.
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